The origin of humankind
By: Richard Leakey.
Series: Science masters series
Publisher: BasicBooks
Published: 1994
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 171
Subjects: Human evolution; Prehistoric peoples
Description: The Origin of Humankind is Richard Leakey's final statement on human evolution. Deriving its power from the author's unquestioned authority in the field of paleontology, and enriched by his new interest in wildlife, this book answers the question: What made humans human? Leakey argues that when one of our hominid ancestors acquired the ability to walk upright (called "bipedalism"), the evolution of modern humans became possible, perhaps even inevitable.

All other human evolutionary refinements and distinctions can be seen as related to this one dramatic step. In fascinating sections on how and why modern humans developed a social organization, culture, and personal behavior, Leakey enhances our understanding of the nature and evolutionary role of art, language, and human consciousness.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-164) and index.
Table of contents: title: PREFACE; title: THE ORIGIN OF HUMANKIND; label: CHAPTER 1
title: THE FIRST HUMANS; label: CHAPTER 2
title: A CROWDED FAMILY; label: CHAPTER 3
title: A DIFFERENT KIND OF HUMAN; label: CHAPTER 4
title: MAN THE NOBLE HUNTER?; label: CHAPTER 5
title: THE ORIGIN OF MODERN HUMANS; label: CHAPTER 6
title: THE LANGUAGE OF ART; label: CHAPTER 7
title: THE ART OF LANGUAGE; label: CHAPTER 8
title: THE ORIGIN OF MIND; title: BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READINGS